[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 60290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30442]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 96N-0449]


Current Science and Technology on Fresh Juices; Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a 
forthcoming meeting to review the current science, including 
technological and safety factors, relating to fresh juices and to 
consider any other measures necessary to provide safe fruit juices.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on December 16 through 17, 1996, 
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Submit registration for the meeting by 
December 6, 1996. Submit written material and requests to make oral 
presentations by December 6, 1996. Written comments may be submitted 
through January 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 
Pentagon City, 300 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, VA. Submit written 
comments to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug 
Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. 
Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets 
in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Catherine M. DeRoever, Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-22), Food and Drug 
Administration, 200 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4251, 
(FAX) 202-205-4970, (Internet) [email protected]. Send 
registration information (including name, title, firm name, address, 
telephone, and fax number) and written material and requests to make 
oral presentations to the contact person.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The purpose of this meeting will be to 
provide an open discussion of the current state of the science and a 
review of technological and safety factors, relating to fresh juices 
from farm to table. While this is the primary focus of the meeting, 
there will also be consideration of issues and data pertaining to E. 
coli 0157:H7, which caused the recent foodborne disease outbreak from 
apple juice, and to other pathogenic bacterial strains, e.g., 
Salmonella spp.
    This meeting is of special interest to the fruit and vegetable 
industry, public health associations, and health agencies of state and 
local governments. It will provide an opportunity to consider how FDA's 
regulatory program relative to fresh juice and juice products needs to 
be revised; to discuss and exchange information on all relevant safety 
considerations; to identify research needs; to consider whether 
additional consumer education is necessary; and to consider what other 
measures are needed to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
    The agenda will include presentations on such topics as: (1) 
Background of the October 1996 outbreak, (2) fruit juice associated 
outbreaks, (3) juice industry practices, (4) growing and harvesting 
practices, (5) organic production, (6) emerging pathogens, (7) specific 
microbial concerns, and (8) labeling issues.
    The agency is interested in learning about all aspects of juice 
production and distribution. Both oral and written comments are 
encouraged on the following topics:(1) Appropriate good manufacturing 
practices (GMP's) for the production of fresh juices, (2) 
identification of critical control points in juice processing under a 
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System, (3) whether 
pasteurization of fresh juices is appropriate or necessary, (4) 
sanitizers that are available to control pathogens of concern, (5) 
alternative available food additives that will ensure safety, (6) any 
new technologies/ intervention strategies that are becoming available 
that appear to be effective in the control of  E. coli O157:H7 or other 
pathogens of concern, and (7) the advice that should be given to 
consumers.
    The agency is encouraging individuals with information and data on 
these topics to present their comments at the meeting or in writing. 
Transcripts of the public meeting may be requested in writing from the 
Freedom of Information Office (HFI-35), Food and Drug Administration, 
5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 12A-16, Rockville, MD 20857, approximately 15 
working days after the meeting at a cost of 10 cents per page. The 
transcript of the public meeting and all submitted comments will be 
available for public examination at the Dockets Management Branch 
(address above) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Dated: November 22, 1996.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 96-30442 Filed 11-26-96; 11:00 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F